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Tag Archives: fathers-day

Brummelbär

18 Sunday Jun 2017

Posted by dianasschwenk in My Stories

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Dad, daughters, Diana Schwenk, family, fathers-day, kindness, Life's like that, love, memories, parents, Relationships, Stuff my parents used to say and do

“Dad had such a deep voice,” I said to my mom on the phone a few weeks back.

“Yes, that’s why I called him my Brummelbär (Brummel bear), his voice rumbled from deep within,” she replied with tenderness in her voice.

I guess I’ve been thinking a lot about dad lately, with Father’s Day and his birthday looming closer. I used to dread June because it brought Father’s Day, my brother’s birthday and my dad’s birthday, and when I didn’t have a lot of money, it seemed taxing to buy three cards and gifts in one month.

Man, what I wouldn’t give to have that worry back, to have dad back.

Yet, I can’t really complain. I was blessed for 52 years with the best possible man for me, as my father. He was a good man, a kind man, a peaceful man. And he loved us.

As best as I can tell Brummel means rumble. And mom’s right. His voice rumbled from deep within like a bear. And it remains in my heart, in my DNA it would seem, guiding me, and still brings me comfort when I most need it.

So glad I captured his voice in this video!

My First Father’s Day Without You

19 Sunday Jun 2016

Posted by dianasschwenk in Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, My Stories

≈ 35 Comments

Tags

daughters, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, dreams, family, fathers-day, growing up, Heinz Schwenk, joy, laughter, life, living in the moment, loss, love, memories, parents, Relationships, Stuff my parents used to say and do

009

I’m thirsty Dad.

Nice to meet you Thursday. I’m Friday, come over Saturday and we’ll have a Sunday.

Heinz Schwenk

Today is my first Father’s Day without you. The beginning of many firsts without you. Yes, I’m a bit sad about that Dad, but I don’t want to talk about that today. Because I am the luckiest woman in the world.

I am incredibly grateful for having had you in my life. You always made me feel so important and cherished. From day one I knew you were in my corner; even when I was wrong.

You’ve only been gone seven months. Gone yet not really gone. I still see you everywhere. I catch a glimpse of you in the mirror. You grace me with your presence in my dreams. And Dad, the other day an older gentleman who had your walk and your playful facial expression stopped in his tracks and looked at me. It made me smile. I know how blessed I was to have you as my father.

You’re in a better place now, free from pain.

I know you’re ok Dad.

And I want you to know I’m ok too, thanks to you.

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

Happy Father’s Day Dr. Schwenk!

11 Wednesday Jun 2014

Posted by dianasschwenk in Hump Day Chronicles, My Stories

≈ 39 Comments

Tags

courage, Dad, Diana Schwenk, family, fathers-day, health, Hump Day Chronicles, love, memories, parents, Relationships

AS FATHER’S DAY APPROACHES my thoughts center on Dad.

(L-R) Dad, Freddy the Teddy, me, Mike and Mom

(L-R) Dad, Freddy the Teddy, me, Mike and Mom

Dad – the man whose feet I stood on as a little girl when we danced.

The man who brought me to watch as the dentist worked on his teeth because I was afraid. He wanted to show me there was no reason to be afraid.

And when I finally allowed the dentist to give me a needle, Dad – the man who took me out for a rare glass of Coke so he could watch me suck it up through the straw and dribble it out of my frozen mouth.

The only man I truly trusted as a child to tend to my scrapes and cuts when I got hurt.

Like the time I dove into the lake and cut my right hand between the index finger and ring finger on a sharp rock. Oh how it bled and terrified me to see one of my little hand bones exposed.

But Dr. Schwenk came to the rescue, binding my fingers tightly together with gauze in the hopes that he might spare me a doctor’s visit and possible stitches.

I looked at my scar today Dad, before I sat down to write this post; it reminds me of how safe you made me feel as a child.

I thought you were the handsomest, coolest Dad ever. In many ways you were my hero and still are.

It makes me laugh to think about how many years of ties, slippers and house-coats you endured as gifts.

Well those years are gone, even though they live on in my memories.

We’re all much older now.

It seems so unfair that now it is you who suffers with pain caused by Osteoarthritis and the fusing of four of your vertebrae. You of all people who worked so hard to provide for your family and made us feel so safe.

I hate that you’re in pain.

I hate that you can barely walk or sit up because of pain.

I hate how it messes with yours and Mom’s plans of what retirement would look like.

I hate that it prevents you from connecting with your social network.

I wish I had your ability to be Dr. Schwenk so that I could return the favour and make you all better, because more than anything, that is the gift I wish I could give you this year for Father’s Day. ❤

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

Happy Father’s Day Dad

Don’t give up. You’re a fighter. We’ll figure this thing out.

With love, Diana

 

 

Happy Father’s Day Dad!

12 Wednesday Jun 2013

Posted by dianasschwenk in Hump Day Chronicles, In My Opinion, My Stories

≈ 44 Comments

Tags

children, Diana Schwenk, family, fathers-day, growing up, Hump Day Chronicles, kindness, love, parents, Relationships, safe

We were on our way back from Uncle Karl’s and Tante Stella’s. It was late and we had a long drive ahead of us. As was the case with every late night drive, I was worried. Worried we wouldn’t find our way home. Worried that we were hopelessly lost.

I don’t know if it was because it was dark out, but I was afraid. And I kept asking you if you knew the way home, if we were lost, if we were still on course. You could have become annoyed with my constant questioning. You could have told me to shut-up already. But you didn’t. Every time I asked, you answered. Yes I know the way home. No we’re not lost. I promise.

Happy Father’s Day Dad!

Thank you for making me feel safe.

Thank you for reassuring me when I was afraid.

Thank you for always being there when I needed you.

Thank you for always believing in me and encouraging me.

Thank you for your quiet strength and loyalty.

Thank you for always making me feel like I’m significant and beautiful.

I love you Daddy.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

~ THE HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

Happy Father’s Day!

13 Wednesday Jun 2012

Posted by dianasschwenk in Hump Day Chronicles, My Stories

≈ 14 Comments

Tags

Diana Schwenk, family, Father, fathers-day, growing up, Montreal

Dad in the early 60’s

Happy Father’s Day to all the great Dads out there – especially mine.

I’ve written about my Dad before here.

But with Father’s Day just around the corner, I feel a need to dig around some more in my treasure chest of yesterdays and pull out a few more memories.

My Dad is a simple man. I don’t mean simple-minded, just simple in needs.

A hard-working man who spent decades working at Kraft Foods, Canada in Montreal, Quebec.

He was a good provider.

And although not immediately obvious when first meeting him; Dad has more than one side.

The Collector

Dad sold part of his precious stamp collection so that he could make a down payment on our first family home.

Dad collects everything including, but not limited to: stamps, coins, license plates, antiques, military and police uniforms and badges, pins and pretty much everything he’s ever owned – much to Mom’s dismay!

Shock Value

A quiet man…well most times. Dad likes to push people out of their comfort zones…well kinda. I think I inherited this from him but I will spare you the incriminating photos. 😉

There was the time I came down for breakfast and Dad was reading the paper and drinking his coffee just like he always does.

Only this particular morning he was doing so in his underwear, undershirt, long-haired red wig and cowboy hat!

I stood there, mouth open, staring.

He looked at me, with a hint of a smirk pulling on the corners of his mouth, over his glasses and said, “What?”

Another time during one of the most powerful thunderstorms I’d ever witnessed, Dad went outside with an umbrella and watered the lawn.

I can’t even find words to describe the looks we got from neighbours!

The Cure for Everything

Most of you have probably seen ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ where the father’s cure for everything is Windex, right?

Well in our household, whether you had acne, sprained your ankle, got a painful sunburn, cut yourself shaving, had a cold sore, toothache, stomach-ache, earache, cramps in your leg, the hiccups, a bad cough, a runny nose, growing pains, a mole, a wart, a fat lip, a black eye, Chicken Pox, Tonsillitis, ingrown toenail, hang nail – you name it – there was only one sure cure.

He’d look at you and simply say, “Put Nivea on it.”

Kindness and Generosity.

Dad has a kind and generous heart.

Dad always tips well and has a good rapport with all the waitresses in the restaurants he frequents.

Many of them have known him for decades and he gets invites to weddings and other special occasions all the time.

It’s not unusual for him to slip me or another family member a couple of bucks now and then.

When you tell him it’s not necessary, his brow knits together and he says, “Ach come on just take it.”

Years ago when my friend’s Dad passed away, he put his hand on her shoulder and said, “If you want, I can be your Dad from now on.”

He still asks about her now and then and inquires about how she’s doing.

Hopefully I’ve inherited a bit of this side of him as well.

Dad at one of his favourite restaurants for breakfast

Dad surprising me on my 48th Birthday

The Mayor of Hawksbury honouring my parents on their 50th Anniversary

Mom and Dad at home

I hope you have a great Father’s Day Dad.

And even though I can’t be with you in person, know that I’m thinking of you and smiling.

What is your favourite ‘DAD’ memory? 

Related articles
  • To My Dad – A Daughter’s Love Letter (300dayjourney.wordpress.com)

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